Conflict of Interest Examples
Below you will find examples of what generally does, and does not, constitute a Conflict of Interest. Remember that each situation is unique so if you are unsure, disclose!
Types of Examples
Remuneration
Example 1
Dr. Miller is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. She is also a talented dog trainer. In addition to her Mines employment, she receives $10,000 per year for dog training services. Dr. Miller does NOT need to disclose this compensation because it is not related to her Mines Institutional Responsibilities.
Example 2
Dr. Miller is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. Her work includes research in chemical processes that improve efficiency in manufacturing. She also provides consulting services for ABC Plastics – a company that produces and manufactures plastics from raw materials. She has received $10,000 in the past 12 months for her consulting services. Dr. Miller MUST disclose this compensation.
Example 3
Dr. Miller is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. Her work includes research in chemical processes that improve efficiency in manufacturing. She also provides consulting services for several manufacturing companies. She has received $10,000 in the past 12 months for her consulting services. The maximum amount she received from a single company was $2,000. Even though her consulting work relates to her Institutional Responsibilities, she does NOT need to disclose this income because she did not receive $5,000 or more from a single entity.
Example 4
Dr. Miller is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. Her work includes research in chemical processes that improve efficiency in manufacturing. She also provides consulting services for ABC Plastics – a company that produces and manufactures plastics from raw materials. Her compensation includes $3,000 in cash and equipment valued at $2,500. Dr. Miller MUST disclose this compensation because it is related to her Institutional Responsibilities and the total value of compensation (both cash and in-kind) exceeds $5,000.
Example 5
Dr. Miller is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. Her partner works for ABC Plastics, which has generously donated equipment which Dr. Miller uses in her research. Dr. Miller MUST disclose this relationship.
Example 6
Dr. Miller is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. Her mother is a successful entrepreneur who wants to use her financial success to foster innovation by establishing an endowment for the benefit of the School of Mines Energy and Materials Programs. Dr. Miller MUST disclose this relationship because the funds benefit her department.
Example 7
Dr. Miller is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. Her uncle is Mines graduate and a fan of the Mines football team (Go Orediggers!). He made a sizeable gift to the Athletics Department. Dr. Miller does NOT need to disclose this information because the funds did not go to her department.
Example 8
Dr. Miller works in a Center that performs technical services for revenue. Her partner works for ABC Plastics. ABC Plastics has a technical service agreement with Dr. Miller’s Center and pays for services rendered. Dr. Miller MUST disclose this relationship.
Example 9
Dr. Miller works in a Center that performs technical services for revenue. Her partner works in another department at Mines. Her partner’s department has a technical service agreement with Dr. Miller’s Center and pays for services rendered. Dr. Miller MUST disclose this relationship.
Equity Interests/Investments
Example 1
Dr. Jones is a Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering. They are involved in research and teaching various aspects of geology and geological engineering, including the use of technology in these disciplines. Dr. Jones owns stock in GPR4U – a publicly traded company that manufactures and sells ground penetrating radar (GPR) units. Their stock is valued at $20,000. Dr. Jones MUST disclose this investment.
Example 2
Dr. Jones is a Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering. They are involved in research and teaching various aspects of geology and geological engineering, including the use of technology in these disciplines. Dr. Jones owns stock in GPR4U – a publicly traded company that manufactures and sells ground penetrating radar (GPR) units. Their stock is valued at $3,000. Dr. Jones does NOT need to disclose this investment because it is less than $5,000.
Example 3
Dr. Jones is a Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering. They are involved in research and teaching various aspects of geology and geological engineering, including the use of technology in these disciplines. Dr. Jones owns stock in American Radar – a privately held company that manufactures and sells ground penetrating radar (GPR) units. Their stock is valued at $3,000. Dr. Jones MUST disclose this investment.
Example 4
Dr. Jones is a Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering. They are involved in research and teaching various aspects of geology and geological engineering, including the use of technology in these disciplines. Dr. Jones has a 401k, which has invested in GPR4U – a publicly traded company that manufactures and sells ground penetrating radar (GPR) units. Dr. Jones does NOT need to disclose this investment because the investment is chosen and managed by a third party.
Intellectual Property
Example 1
Harold is Research Faculty in the Physics Department working on ultrafast lasers. Prior to joining Mines, he worked on a team that developed new laser technology for which the team holds a patent. Harold MUST disclose this intellectual property.
Example 2
Harold is Research Faculty in the Physics Department working on ultrafast lasers. His wife works on a team that developed new laser technology for which the team holds a patent. Harold MUST disclose this intellectual property.
Example 3
Harold is Research Faculty in the Physics Department working on ultrafast lasers. His wife works on a team that developed new software for which the team holds a patent. Harold does NOT need to disclose this intellectual property because the IP does not relate to his Institutional Responsibilities.
Example 4
Harold is Research Faculty in the Physics Department working on ultrafast lasers. In his work at Mines, he worked on a team that developed new laser technology which Mines has patented. Harold does NOT need to disclose this intellectual property.
Sponsored/Reimbursed Travel
Example 1
Mark is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He was invited to speak at an industry conference. SuperTek, a conference sponsor, is paying for Mark’s travel costs including airfare, hotel and rental car. Mark MUST disclose this sponsored travel.
Example 2
Mark is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He was invited to speak at an industry conference. Mines is reimbursing Mark for his travel costs including airfare, hotel and rental car. Mark does NOT need to disclose this reimbursed travel because the funds come from Mines.
Example 3
Mark is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. His wife, Stacy, was invited to speak at an industry conference. Stacy’s employer is paying for both her and Mark to travel to the conference, including airfare, hotel and rental car. Mark does NOT need to disclose this because it is not related to his Institutional Responsibilities.
External Board Service
Example 1
Jessica is a department head at Mines. She also serves on a Board for Chips-R-Us, a locally based computer chip distribution company. Jessica is not sure whether Chips-R-Us does business with Mines. Jessica MUST disclose her service.
Example 2
Jessica is a department head at Mines. Her spouse serves on a Board for Chips-R-Us, a locally based computer chip distribution company. Chips-R-Us sponsors research at Mines. This presents a conflict of interest and Jessica (and anyone reporting to Jessica) should recuse herself from decisions involving Chips-R-Us.
Foreign Associations
Example 1
Amy is a Professor of Geophysics. She is involved in a research project with the University of Barcelona in Spain. She MUST disclose this foreign association.
Example 2
Amy is a Professor of Geophysics. She is involved in a collaborative research project between Mines and the University of Barcelona. Mines manages this relationship. Amy does NOT need disclose her participation because the association is managed by Mines.
Example 3
Amy is a Professor of Geophysics. During the summer break, she works with Clean Earth, an Australian non-profit that organizes water clean-up projects around the world. Amy does NOT need to disclose this association because it is not related to her Institutional Responsibilities.
Start-Up Entity/Business Involvement
Example 1
Dr. Ness is a Professor of Computer Science. He and several colleagues are creating a start-up company intended to develop and produce unique computer networking processes and products. Dr. Ness MUST disclose this involvement.
Example 2
Ruby works at the Beck Venture Center. She guides members through various stages of launching a start-up company. In this role, she is involved with multiple start-up companies. Ruby does NOT need to disclose this involvement because it is part of her Mines employment.
Conflict of Commitment
Example 1
Alex works in HR. Their regular working hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. On the weekends, Alex works at a greenhouse. Alex does NOT need to disclose this because it does not interfere with their obligations to Mines.
Example 2
Alex works in HR. Their regular working hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Once a week they leave work at noon to serve on an advisory board for the local school district. Alex MUST disclose this activity AND get approval from their supervisor.